Olympic Runner Rebecca Cheptegei in Critical Condition After Being Set on Fire by Boyfriend

Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition after being set on fire by her boyfriend in a shocking incident in Endebess, Kenya.

The 33-year-old athlete, who finished 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer, has suffered burns covering more than 75% of her body, according to police reports.

The incident occurred on Sunday when Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, allegedly attacked her at their home.

According to the police report, the couple was involved in a heated argument, during which Marangach doused Cheptegei in petrol and set her on fire.

Police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom stated that neighbours heard the couple quarrelling outside their house. They rushed to the scene, helping to extinguish the flames before taking both Cheptegei and Marangach, who were also caught in the fire and sustained severe burns, to Kitale County Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.

It is reported that the argument may have stemmed from a dispute over the piece of land where their home was built. The exact details leading up to the attack are still under investigation.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed the incident in a statement, expressing deep concern for Cheptegei’s condition.

The statement read, “We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics, has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire to her.”

The athletics community is reeling from the news, as Cheptegei’s condition remains critical. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.